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Although experts aren’t exactly how the process works, “it’s known that psychological stress has the potential to change the immune response,” says Neha Bhanusali, MD, an assistant professor of rheumatology at the University of Central Florida Medical School in Orlando. “And there is emerging evidence that an abnormal response to stress may contribute to the development of chronic autoimmune diseases," she says.

Stress can also contribute to both anxiety and depression, says Dr. Bhanusali — two conditions that can be even more prevalent in people with psoriatic arthritis than psoriasis, according to an April 2014 study published in The Journal of Rheumatology.

How to Keep Your Stress Levels in Check

Finding healthy ways to relax not only improves your mental health, but it might also improve the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. Here are five stress-less strategies:

Exercise. Movement is not only good for the joints and muscles, it also helps relieve stress by releasing mood-boosting hormones, says Mary Alvord, PhD, a psychologist in Rockville, Maryland, with expertise in stress management and resilience, and co-author of Relaxation and Wellness Techniques: Mastering the Mind-Body Connection, a self-help CD.

But you don’t have to go for a joint-busting run, says Alvord. Instead, pick an activity like dancing or swimming that is easier on the joints.

Be proactive. Don’t think of yourself as a victim of psoriatic arthritis: “Feeling like a victim leads to feelings of helplessness and hopelessness,” she says. Instead, focus on the aspects of your life that you can control, then come up with a plan for how to include more of them in your schedule. For instance, if yoga stretches help relieve joint stiffness, plan on doing some during your lunch break. Bonus: Just having a plan can relieve anxiety, Alvord says.

Make sleep a priority. Quality sleep enables you to think more clearly and helps boost your mood, Alvord says. Most adults need at least seven hours a night, according to the National Sleep Foundation.

Seek support. “The people who are most resilient know how to ask for help and advocate for themselves,” Alvord says. So don’t isolate yourself from others — lean on family and friends and consider joining a support group. Not only do these groups bring people together, but they can also tackle issues (think: sexual health problems) that you might not feel comfortable bringing up on your own, she says.

Learn to relax. Here are several relaxation techniques that might work for you, including:

Visualization. Take yourself on a mental vacation. Close your eyes and transport your mind to a place you love. Imagine yourself on a beach, perhaps. Feel the sand between your toes, smell the salt air, and see the waves crash onto the shoreline.

Calm breathing. Learning to breathe through your abdomen instead of your chest can calm you down when you’re feeling panicky. Practice by covering one nostril with your finger and taking deep breaths from your gut, says Alvord.

Progressive muscle relaxation. This is really important for arthritis and pain control in general, Alvord says. In this technique, you tense and then relax muscle groups one by one. Clench your fist, for example, and notice how that feels. Then, slowly relax. “A lot of people feel a cool sensation or a warm sensation, and it helps loosen the muscle,” she says. Then move on to another muscle group and repeat the exercise. “You’ll learn where you carry the tension in your body,” Alvord adds.